Fruit
Lemon zest
A high-toned citrus note often linked to bright acid and freshness.
Working vocabulary
A wine glossary that helps, not overwhelms.
Search descriptors by category and use them as prompts, not scripts. The goal is to sharpen perception, not memorize someone else’s note.
Fruit
Lime
Sharper and greener than lemon, often suggesting tension and youthful energy.
Fruit
White peach
A soft stone-fruit note that often signals ripeness without heaviness.
Fruit
Pear
Common in cool-climate whites and sparkling wines, especially in subtle, clean profiles.
Fruit
Red cherry
Fresh, juicy red fruit that usually feels lifted rather than jammy.
Fruit
Black plum
Darker and riper than red fruit, often paired with softer texture or warm spice.
Fruit
Blackberry
Dense black fruit that can feel fresh, tart, or liqueur-like depending on ripeness.
Fruit
Dried fig
A mature, dark fruit note associated with development, warmth, or oxidation.
Floral
Jasmine
Perfumed and lifted, often found in aromatic whites with strong top notes.
Floral
Orange blossom
A sunny floral-citrus note that reads delicate but expressive.
Floral
Rose petal
Classic in fragrant reds, especially when paired with cherry, tea, or tar.
Floral
Violet
A cool-toned floral note that often shows up with dark fruit and savory spice.
Herbal
Mint
A cooling herbal note that can feel fresh, lifted, or eucalyptus-like.
Herbal
Thyme
A savory dried-herb note that often appears in sunlit, garrigue-like profiles.
Herbal
Bell pepper
A green, angular aroma common in some Cabernet family wines and cooler vintages.
Herbal
Fennel
Fresh or lightly sweet herbal character with a licorice edge.
Earth
Wet stone
A mineral impression that often reads cool, precise, and linear.
Earth
Mushroom
An earthy, woodland note often linked to maturity or savory complexity.
Earth
Graphite
A pencil-lead mineral note that can add seriousness and definition to dark-fruited reds.
Earth
Leather
A mature savory note that belongs with age, not with fruit for fruit's sake.
Oak
Vanilla
A sweet oak signature that is often easiest to spot in younger barrel-influenced wines.
Oak
Cedar
A dry wood note that often feels more architectural than sweet.
Oak
Toast
A roasted impression from oak treatment, often sitting alongside spice or coffee.
Oak
Clove
A sweet-spice note that can come from wood influence or ripe grape character.
Structure
High acid
Mouthwatering, energetic, and often the key to freshness, precision, and food pairing.
Structure
Soft tannin
Gentle grip that shapes the wine without turning the finish dry or aggressive.
Structure
Medium-bodied
A balanced mid-weight feel that sits between lean and full, often highly versatile.
Structure
Long finish
Flavor and texture persist after swallowing, often signaling concentration or complexity.